Self-service auto wash



Dec 5, 1961 R. B. BERANEK SELF-SERVICE AUTO WASH 5 Shee'bs-Sheecl 1Filed Aug. 28, 1958 ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1961 R. B. BERANEK SELF-SERVICEAUTO WASH 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 28, 1958 WH TEE INVENTOR fado/p/I56m/rel:

ATTORNEYS Dem 5, 1961 R. B. BERANEK SELF-SERVICE AUTO wAsH 3Sheets-Sheefl 3 Filed Aug. 28, 1958 INVENTOR IZ dolph B. era )1e/ BYMCQQ i A oRNEyg fet This invention is a novel self-serve mechanical autowash operated by pushbutton control or by automation, the same includinga turntable upon which a car to be washed may be disposed, andincludingdevices for spraying globules or jets of cleaning uid, solvent,or waterk against the side of the'automobile while the same is in Iprocess of rotation, to thoroughly cleanse and rinse the car kbeingwashed, means being provided for first applying a soap solution tothespraying device, then a solvent, and -nally rising water, all controlledby pushbuttons,

or by automation, means being also provided for reciprocating thespraying means towards or from the car on the turntable during rotationthereof so that the ,spraying device is always disposed during rotationof the turntable about the same distance from the side or end portion ofthe car being washed. v

Some objects of the invention are to provide a novel auto wash of theabove type having low initial cost with respect to construction; also anauto wash having low operational cost by virtue of the pushbuttoncontrol which may be actuated by automation. y

Another object of the invention is Vto provide an auto wash of the abovetype wherein the auto may be driven by the owner or attendant intowashing position on the rotary turntabie and the auto brakes then set,the owner or attendant remainingin the auto during the entire washingoperation or leaving the same during washing and re-entering' afterwashing to drive the lvehicle olf the rotary turntable.

Another object of the invention is to provide an auto wash of the abovetype in which the attendant first closes a means which actuates suitableelectronic control mechanism into a series of tive cycles, causing therotary turntable to revolve in clockwise or counterclockwise directionsfor 20 revolutions, simultaneously actuating an air blast unit whichreciprocatesin conjunction with and towards and from the rotaryturntable to spray, wash, rinse, and air-dry the vehicle on theturntable incontinuous conjunctive cycles. According to'my invention,the first cycle is a rough spray wash in'which the turntable will maketwo revolutions-in a clockwise direction, followed by a water rinse fortwo revolutions in a clockwise direction. The second cycle is a roughspray wash while the rotary turntable revolves in a counterclockwisedirection, followed by a water rinse for tworevolutions in saidcounterclockwise direction. The third cycle applies a finish spray washwhile the turntable revolves for two revolutions in a counterclockwisedirection, followed `by a water rinse while the rotary turntablerevolvesfor two revolutions in a counterclockwise direction. The fourth cyclerepeats the last-mentionedoperations while the rotary table is revolvingin a clockwise direction. The fifth cycle forces dry airinto the vehiclewhile the turntable revolves four revolutions in a clockwise direction.v

A further object of the invention is vto provide an auto wash which willtake approximately one minute of time while making 2O revolutions of therotary table in the tive above-mentioned washing, rinsing and dryingcycles. However, the time for washing can be readjusted for shorter orlongerwashing periods, 'if desired.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an auto wash ofthe above type in which the rough spray wash consists of a granular soapand/or detergent and 3,011,501 Patented Dec. 5, 1961 Aicc knon-streakingsolvent, and the final spray consists of forced dry air.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which illustrate one practical embodiznent thereof, yto permitothers familiar with the a'rt to adopt and use the same; and willsummarize in the claims, the novel features of construction, and novelcombinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings: n

FIGURE 1 is .a side elevation, par-tly in section, .showing myself-serve mechanical auto wash.

FIG. 2 is an end elevation thereof.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the turntable, its driving mechanism, andthe slide for supporting the spray unit, and showing the turntable inposition wherein its longitudinalaxis coincides with the longitudinalaxis of the spray unit. p K .Y g

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the parts partly insection, the longitudinal axis of the turntablebeing disposedsubstantially normal to the axis of the spray unit. K

FIG. 5 is a detail section showing the means for oper-y ating the slidefor the spray unit fromA the turntable.

FIG. 6 is aside view of the slide which supports the Lspray unit,detached.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the slide shown in PIG. 6 dispos-ed in itsguides. Y

FIG. 8 is ,an end view of the slide, detached. FIG. 9 is an'end view ofthe guide, detached. FIG. 10 is a side elevation-of the guide, detachedFIG. 1l isa horizontal section through the spray unit.

FIG. 12 isan enlarged elevation of the air diffuser.

FIG. 13` is a vertical section through the diiuser shown f in FIG. 12..v

FIG.v 14 is a view showing the automation controls. As shown in thedrawings, my self-serve mechanical auto wash, having pushbuttoncontrol,'cornprises` a shaftsnpporting housing 1 preferably ofcylindrical shape mounted in a hole H inthe ground G or floor surface F,

the housing 1 being closed at its lower end by a cap 2.

In housing 1 is a vertical shaft 3 journaled at its lower end inbearings 4, and at its upper` end in bearings.5

fixed in housing 1, said'bearsings being of any desired type. The shaft3 projects somewhat above the ground G or lfloor level F and carries athrustbearing 6, the

lower member of thrustbearing 6 resting upon the ground G or iloorsurface F,l and the upper member being disposed thereabove, rollers 7 orthe like being disposed therebetween so as to offset the tendency of theshaft 3 to lean or deflect from its normal vertical position.

On shaft 3 above the thrust bearing 6 is a sprocket 8 whichis engaged bya chain 9 or the like running around sprocket 8 and around a drivesprocket 10 on a vertical drive shaft 11 disposed to one side of shaft3, drive shaft 11 being driven by a variable speed .electric motor 12through a clutch 13, suchas a mercury'clutch, which drivesspeed-reducing mechanism 14 from whichthe shaft 11 extends, whereby asmotor 12 is operatedthe drive sprocket 8 on shaft 3 will becorrespondingly rotated but at a slower speed. On shaft 11 is a brakedrum 15 which cooperates with an electro-braking unit 1'6 operated byautomation.

:On main shaft 3 and above sprocket 8 is a plate 17 of generalrectangular shape having rounded corners as y shown inv FIGS. 3 and 4,and having a depending pei 19 which are preferably channels spacedapartl at opposite sides of plate 17 a distance to receive the wheels Wof the automobile or other Vehicle which is to be washed when theautomobile or other vehicle is driven onto the turntable 17 with thewheels W at each side thereof resting in the tracks or channels 19, asshown in FIGS. l and 2, the vehicle being indicated by the referencecharacter V, and the same being of any desired type.

If desired, two channel iron ground supports 20 may be provided tosupport the thrust bearing 6 either at the ground level G, or ifdesired, the ground supports 20 may be flush with the upper surface F ofa substantially four inch base of concrete 21 at the under side of theturntable.

Disposed radially of the shaft 1 mounted upon the concrete 21 or groundlevel G is a base guide 22 having a longitudinal recess 23 in its upperface provided with opposed lips 24 to form a guide for a reciprocatingcarriage 25 which is disposed at a level slightly below the peripheralflange 18 of turntable plate 17, the outer end of carriage 25 carryingcasters 26 and 27, as shown more particularly in FIG. 5, which engagethe inner and outer faces of the track flange 18 so that as theturntable is rotated the carriage 25 will be reciprocated in the guides.Z3-24, for the purpose hereinafter explained.

As shown in FIG. 2, upon the carriage 25 is an air blast unit 28comprising a casing having an air inlet, the sa-me being xedly mountedupon carriage 25, and said casing 28 housing a fan 29 operated by amotor 30 which is of variable speed.

The end of casing 28 adjacent the turntable has its top and bottom walls31- -32 diverging, as shown in PIG. 2, while its side walls 33-34converge, as shown in FIG. 1l, the same terminating in a substantiallyvertically disposed casing portion 35 which houses the lower end 36 of aexible tube 37 connected with a liquid supply, the portion 36 within thecasing portion 35 being provided With spray nozzles 38 which diverge asshown in FIG. ll so that the fluid which is emitted from said nozzles isdirected angularly towards the sides of casing portion 35.

Between the end of yair blast casing 28 and the portion 31, 32, 33, 34is an air diffuser 39, shown more particularly in FIGS. l2 and 13 havingvanes which cause the air from the fan 29 to be thrown towards thesides, top and bottom of the casing portion 31-34 inclusive, so as tolill all portions thereof and to blow the fluid emitted from the nozzles38 out through the outer face of the casing portion 35 oppositetheturntable, the jets being directed directly onto the automobile or othervehicle positioned on the turntable. Any vdesired type of air diffuser39 may be used;

The outer face of portion 35 adjacent the turntable is provided with ahoneycomb diffuser 40 of any desired type adapted to form an effectivespray for the fluid carried by the jets of air emanating from the airblast unit 28 directly on to the vehicle on the turntable. Theparticular type of honeycomb diffuser `40 forms no part of my presentinvention, as obviously various types may be used which will cause thefluid-laden jets of air from the air blast unit 28 to be directedthroughout a substantially narrow area and of a height embracing thetopiand bottom of the vehicle on the turntable directly at all timesupon the vehicle on the turntable.

At a higher elevation than the turntable is a 3-section liquid supplytank 41 mounted upon a suitable support, one section 41a containing asoap solution, the intermediate section 41b carrying a solvent solution,and the remaining section 41C containing water, the fresh Water beingsupplied through a pipe 42. Each of the sections 41a, 41b, and 41C isconnection to a pipe 43 which is Vconnccted through a pressure pump 44,driven by a motor 45, for discharging the solution from the compartments41a, 41b, and 41C directly into pipe 37 which discharges into theportion 35 of the air blast unit 28, suitable valves (not shown) beingprovided whereby the fluid from any of the compartments 41a, 41h, and41e may be forcibly discharged into the casing portion 35 in regulatedsequence utilizing either a pushbutton or automation control.

The automation control is shown in FIG. 14 and consists of a mastercontrol box 46, and an auxiliary control box 47 which may be controlledin any desired manner, the auxiliary control box coordinating with thetiming and energizing the sequency of operation to open and close eachof the valves of the liquid supply tank 41. For instance with respect tothe auxiliary control box 47 the control a when actuated operates thevariable speed reversible motor 12 of the rotary turntable; and thepushbutton b operates the electro brake unit 15-16 of the rotaryturntable; pushbutton c operates the variable speed motor 3i) of the airblast unit in casing 28; pushbutton d operates the pressure pump 44 ofthe liquid supply tank 41; pushbutton e operates the automatic valve ofthe soap compartment 41a of tank 41; pushbutton f operates the automaticvalve of the solvent compartment 41h; pushbutton g operates theautomatic valve of the fresh water compartment 41C; and pushbutton hoperates the automatic iloat valve of the supply tank 41.

In operation The vehicle to be washed is driven by the owner orattendant into washing position onto the tracks 19 of the rotaryturntable 17, and the vehicles brakes locked. The owner or attendant mayremain in the vehicle during the entire washing operation, or may leavethe same and re-enter it after the vehicle has been washed in order todrive the vehicle oit the turntable.

When the vehicle V is positioned ,upon the turntable 17 the attendantcloses the means which actuates an automation control mechanism in aseries of tive cycles, during which the rotary turntable revolvesclockwise or anti-clockwise for 20 revolutions while simultaneously theair blast unit 28 reciprocates towards and from the turntable to spray,wash, rinse and air-dry the vehicle on the turntable in continuousconjunctive cycles as follows: During the first portion of the cycle theiiuid from the soap compartment 41a is directed through pipe 37 into thecasing portion 35 during which time the turntable will make tworevolutions in a clockwise direction, followed by two revolutions in aclockwise direction dur ing which latter time the solvent fromcompartment 41k is sprayed upon the vehicle on the turntable. During thesecond portion of the cycle the same procedure is followed except thatthe rotary turntable revolves in a counterclockwise direction. Duringthe third portion of the cycle the turntable revolves throughout tworevolutions in a counterclockwise direction, during which time tluidfrom the solvent compartment 41b is sprayed on to the vehicle on theturntable, this being followed by j two revolutions of the rotaryturntable in a counterclockwise direction during which time water fromcompartment 41C is sprayed upon the vehicle on the turntable. During thefourth portion of the cycle the procedure is the same as referred to inabove third portion, except that the rotary turntable revolves in aclockwise direction. And during the fth portion of the cycle dry air isimpinged upon the vehicle on the turntable through four revolutions ofthe turntable in a clockwise direction.

The above provides an anto wash involving 2O revolutions of theturntable throughout 5 sequential steps of Washing, rinsing and dryingthe vehicle on the turntable. Obviously, the time of operation of eachstep in the cycle can be adjusted, such as for shorter or longer washperiods, if necessary.

The rough spray wash consists of a `granular soap and/ or detergent andwater. The finish spray wash consists of a cleaning solvent, while therinsing spray consists of fresh water and a non-streaking solvent.

My invention is an improvement over prior methods since it involves alower initial cost of building and installation, and a lower operationalcost by utilizing a pushbutton control or automation.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the dra-wings forobviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim: l

1. I-n an auto wash, a turntable on which anrauto may be disposed, meansfor rotating the turntable; a fixed guide disposed radially of the axisof rotation of the turntable and positioned laterally thereof; acarriage reciprocably mounted in said guide; said turntable having anendless non-circular track with its longitudinal axis disposedsubstantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the auto; means onthe carriage engaging said track whereby as the turntable is rotated thecarriage will be shifted toward or from the turn-table; fluid spraymeans mounted on said carriage whereby the same wil-l be maintained at asubstantially constant distance from the adjacent position of the autoduring rotation of thelatter with the turntable; said fluid spray meanscomprising a casing having an air inlet; an air fan Within said casingfor directing air towards said auto on the turntable; means for rotatingsaid fan; and said casing terminating in a substantially verticallydisposed honeycomb adjacent the turntable embracing the top and bottomof the auto.

2. In Aan auto wash las set forth in claim 1, an air diffuser withinsaid casing for directing the air from the fan against the top, bottomof sides of the casing prior to emission through said honeycomb portion.

3. In an auto wash, la turntable on which an auto may be disposed, meansfor rotating the turntable in either directionga lixed guide disposedradially of the axis of rotation of the turntable and positionedlaterally thereof; a carriage reciprocably mounted in said guide; saidturntable having an endless non-circular track with its longitudinalaxis disposed substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of theauto; means on the carriage engaging said track whereby as the turntableis rotated in either direction the cam'age will be shifted toward orfrom the turntable; fluid spray means mounted on said carriage wherebythe same will be maintained at a substantially constant distance fromthe adjacent position of the auto during rotation of the latter with theturntable; said lluid spray means comprising -a casing having an airinlet; an air fan within said casing for directing air towards ysaidauto on the turntable; means for rotating said fan; said casingterminating in a narrow substantially vertically disposed honeycombadjacent the turntable having a height embracing the top and bottom ofthe auto.

4. In an auto Wash, a turntable on which an auto may be disposed, meansfor rotating the turntable; a iixed guide disposed radially of theaxisof rotation of the turntable and positioned laterally thereof; `acarriage reciprocably mounted in said guide; said turntable having anendless non-circular track with its longitudinal axis disposedsubstantia-lly coaxial with the longitudinal axis o f the auto; means onthe carriage engaging saidL track whereby as the turntable is rotatedthe carriage will be shifted toward or from the turntable; and lluidspray means mounted on said' carriage whereby the same will bemaintained at a substantially constant distance from the adjacentposition of the auto during rotation olf the latter with the turntable;-said lluid spray means comprising a casing having an air inlet; an airfan within said casing for directing air towards said -auto on theturntable; means for rotating said fan; said casing terminating in asubstantially vertically disposed honeycomb adjacent the turntableembracing the top and bottom of the auto; la liquid supp-ly tank havinga flexible pipe therefrom extending into the casing between the fan andhoneycomb portion, and said pipe having means for emitting divergentjets of liquid therefrom into the casing to be taken up by the `air jetsemanating from the fan.

5. In an auto wash as set forth in claim 4, said liquid supply tankhaving sections, one adapted to contain a rough spray soap solution;another adapted to ntain a solvent solution; still another adapted tocontain fresh water solution; and means for connecting said sectionsrespectively with said llexible pipe.

6. In an auto wash, a turntable on which an auto may be disposed, meansfor rotating the turntable in either direction; a xed guide disposedradially of the axis of rotation of the turntable and positionedlaterally thereof; a carriage reciprocably mounted in said guide; saidturntable having an endless non-circular track with its longitudinalaxis disposed substantially coaxial wi-th the longitudinal axis of theauto; means on the' carriage engaging said track whereby as theturntable is rotated in either direction the carriage will be shiftedtoward or from the turntable; and fluid spray means mounted on saidcarriage whereby the same will be maintained at a substantially constantdistance from the adjacent position of the auto during rotation of thelatter with the turntable; said iluid spray means comprising a casinghaving an air inlet; an air fan within said casing for directing n airtowards said auto on the turntable; means for rotating said fan; saidcasing terminating in a narrow substantiallyV vertically disposedhoneycomb adjacent the turntable having a`height embracing the top andbottom of the auto; a liquid supply tank disposed above said casinghaving a flexible pipe therefrom extending into the casing between thefan and honeycomb portion, and said pipe having means for emittingdivergent jets of liquid therefrom into the casing to be taken up by theair jets emanating from the fan.

References Cited Vin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS646,266 Diescher Mar. 27, 1900 1,628,317 Hoevel M'ay 10, 1927 2,558,628Redin June 26, 1951

